Sant Pau Recinte Modernista
Why visit a former hospital? Because this is a medical facility like no other. It was conceived as a hospital city by Lluís Domènech i Montaner in 1901 and took nearly 30 years to complete. Created to fulfil the holistic needs of its patients—doctors a century ago had some intriguing ideas of what constituted good medical care—it included a freestanding library, a hairdresser’s, therapeutic walkways, and healing gardens. The almost ridiculously over-specced interiors—exquisitely tiled wards, stained glass sunrooms, even a sunlit operating theater—confound the imagination. Now that the beautiful landscaping is back in place, visitors can experience the sense of peace and tranquility that must have comforted hospital patients (and the medical staff).
Incredibly, the complex functioned as a hospital until 2009, opening to the public for tours in 2014 after extensive renovations. Its 12 pavilions are linked by a series of tiled underground tunnels. One ward, the Pavello de San Rafael is left as it would have been 100 years ago, its beds still made up. This UNESCO World Heritage site covers nine city blocks. The architect set it at a 45-degree angle to the L’Eixample grid to create an architectural island overlooking Barcelona. It is a 10-minute stroll along Avinguda Gaudí from La Sagrada Família, and there are fine views of the basilica’s spires from the lavish Pavelló de l’Administració.
Look out for special events, especially the classical concert series honoring the Barcelona soprano Victoria de los Angeles.
Why visit a former hospital? Because this is a medical facility like no other. It was conceived as a hospital city by Lluís Domènech i Montaner in 1901 and took nearly 30 years to complete. Created to fulfil the holistic needs of its patients—doctors a century ago had some intriguing ideas of what constituted good medical care—it included a freestanding library, a hairdresser’s, therapeutic walkways, and healing gardens. The almost ridiculously over-specced interiors—exquisitely tiled wards, stained glass sunrooms, even a sunlit operating theater—confound the imagination. Now that the beautiful landscaping is back in place, visitors can experience the sense of peace and tranquility that must have comforted hospital patients (and the medical staff).
Incredibly, the complex functioned as a hospital until 2009, opening to the public for tours in 2014 after extensive renovations. Its 12 pavilions are linked by a series of tiled underground tunnels. One ward, the Pavello de San Rafael is left as it would have been 100 years ago, its beds still made up. This UNESCO World Heritage site covers nine city blocks. The architect set it at a 45-degree angle to the L’Eixample grid to create an architectural island overlooking Barcelona. It is a 10-minute stroll along Avinguda Gaudí from La Sagrada Família, and there are fine views of the basilica’s spires from the lavish Pavelló de l’Administració.
Look out for special events, especially the classical concert series honoring the Barcelona soprano Victoria de los Angeles.
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